Washington Capitals defensive prospect Garrett Haar has announced on Twitter that he will not return to Western Michigan University, where he has spent the last two years since he was drafted by the Caps.

Have decided to leave Western Michigan and go play in the WHL. Medicine Hat tigers seems to be my destination but still not sure. #fresh

The latest incarnation of Capitals Development Camp doesn’t have the star power of years past — there are no sure-fire stars like Nick Backstrom or exotic Russians like Evengy Kuznetsov. Still, there are surely some future pros skating at Kettler this week. In addition to the obvious ones — fellow first-round picks and polar opposites Tom Wilson and André Burakovsky — there are guys like Madison Bowey, a second-round selection (53th overall) at last month’s draft. Bowey is a fast, two-way defensemen who’s acquitted himself well playing for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL and Team Canada in the World Juniors. He’s also a pretty nice dude. Following the second-to-last scrimmage of Dev Camp, I chatted with the 18-year-old.

It was game six of the series against the New York Rangers, just the second-ever game in Tom Wilson‘s NHL career, and one of his skate blades has just popped off. Wilson hobbled back to the bench, courting bunches of GIFs and instant fan adultation. At the time I didn’t even realize skate blades could just fall off like that, but I guess when you’re a six-foot-four, 217-pound man-mountain, simple things like skating and checking can test the mettle of your gear.

On Thursday at Development Camp, Wilson’s equipment rebelled again, this time forcing the Caps prospect to wipe out at center ice while attempting a sharp turn. Like a bowling ball out to pick up a spare, Wilson’s body tumbled heavily towards the boards, stopping only after knocking over Caps video coach Brett Leonhardt. No one was hurt (woot) and laughs were shared by all.

After the second day of Caps Development Camp, Wilson was asked if anyone in the coaching staff requested before last year’s camp that he tone down his game. Wilson responded with a wry smile and a chuckle. “I don’t know,” he said. “I can’t really remember having that conversation. Yeah, there’s a couple guys that went down last year. That’s just the way I play. It’s not really going to change.”

Later, Wilson revealed how nastiness became a part of his game at an early age.

Kitov’s words made sense at time time. Before the season, I spoke to Caps associate goaltending coach Olie Kolzig and the former netminder was not as high as I was on the 2012 seventh round pick. “He’s probably the lowest guy on the depth chart,” Kolzig said bluntly. “If he puts an attention to detail in his game, improves his work ethic, he would definitely pad the depth chart.”

Kostenko would then struggle through injuries, playing in only six games with the ECHL’s Reading Royals before being loaned to the Ontario Reign where he started another three. Kostenko traveled home to Russia at the end of the season.

Fast forward to this past week, when Kostenko’s name appeared on the Caps 2013 Development Camp roster. What gives?

When Filip Forsberg was selected by the Washington Capitals 11th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, many draft experts praised his skill and scoring, projecting him as an offensive engine for his future team.

As has become tradition, Kettler Capitals Iceplex was packed to capacity Saturday for the final scrimmage of the team’s Development Camp and annual Fanfest. On a mid-July morning, hundreds were jammed into the team’s practice facility to watch prospects and college and free-agent invitees duke it out for the last time. Fans also took advantage of autograph sessions with Caps prospects and new Capitals center/rapperMike Ribeiro, who met the media for the first time yesterday.

As for the game itself, Team Red won in thrilling fashion, pulling out a 4-3 victory in overtime. After red pulled their goaltender, T.J. Syner scored in the final minute of the third period. In overtime, Max Iafrate set-up free-agent invitee Greg Miller for a slam-dunk one-timer in the slot. Stan Galiev and Riley Barber also scored for the red team. Daniel O’Donoghue, Taylor Stefishen, and David Vallorani tallied white’s three goals.

Forsberg speaks to the media after the scrimmage. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

The Caps prospects and invitees to Development Camp played their fourth scrimmage today, but once again some of the most interesting moves were made off the ice. First-round draft pick Filip Forsberg signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Capitals today, and goalie coach Dave Priorexpressed disappointment in prospect Steffen Soberg‘s 2011-12 season.

Despite the fact Forsberg has one more year on his contract with Leksand of the Swedish Allsvenskan League, he stressed that he wanted to commit to the team. “It was a dream come true,” he told CSN’s Chuck Gormley. “I got a good first feeling from the Capitals and I thought it was a good decision to get it done right away.”

Team White won the scrimmage 4-1, with White’s goals scored by David Civitarese, Connor Carrick, Barry Almeida, and Chandler Stephenson on a penalty shot. Team Red’s lone goal was scored by T.J. Syner.

Sergei Kostenko’s mask features a surprising amount of English on it, not all of which makes sense.

Day four of Caps Development Camps got a lot more interesting than the previous day, with a fight, two penalty shots, and nine goals.

Team Red beat Team White in Thursday scrimmage by a final score of 6-3. Team Red’s goals were scored by Matt Bailey, Greg Miller, Cam Wojtala, 2012 first round pick Tom Wilson, and two from David Vallorani. Team White’s three goals were scored by David Civitarese, Michael Quinn, and Christian Djoos.

Russian draftee Sergei Kostenko played in his first scrimmage after arriving yesterday from Russia and impressed with his performance for Team Red today, stopping tough shots through three periods, including a penalty shot attempt by blue-chip prospect Filip Forsberg.